S3 Tyres - Michelin PS3 or other?

[s3londonuk]

I have a 2001 S3 and have always kept (I think) the OE, Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

I've been happy with the PS3 tyres and can get 25000 miles out of a set of 4 but at approx £500.00 a set, they aint cheap!

Has anyone got any suggestions on some cheaper tyres? I don't drive the car very hard (any more!) and do mainly motorway miles.

Cheers

[cuprabob]

F1 Asymmetrics are a little bit cheaper and I've found them to be very good but there is a case to sticking to what you know.

If you buy your PS3s at Costco at the moment you will get 20% off a set of 4 which is pretty good value for a Michelin.

[Gren]

Always used F1s on my old Mk1 TT. GSD3s and then the asyms. Both sets gripped well wet or dry, found the asyms were quieter and didn't deform as much after mileage like the earlier ones did for me. Was picking them up for around £100 a corner fitted as well so a good price.

[jon-]

s3londonuk said:

I have a 2001 S3 and have always kept (I think) the OE, Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

I've been happy with the PS3 tyres and can get 25000 miles out of a set of 4 but at approx £500.00 a set, they aint cheap!

Has anyone got any suggestions on some cheaper tyres? I don't drive the car very hard (any more!) and do mainly motorway miles.

Cheers

Pilot Sport 3's?! These were only launched a few months ago so you must be doing serious miles if you've had more than one set!

The pilot sport 2's are very well regarded on the s3 which I suspect you're using, the PS3 should give you a little more mileage and wet performance.

Alternatively ContiSportContact 3/5 will wear well, but again aren't cheap.

[s3londonuk]

Ahem, yeah good call jon. They are the PS2s that are on the car!

the tread pattern changed from PS1 to PS2. Will it have changed again on the PS3s?

[baz1985]

I have PS3s on my 8P2, they're awesome....sibling has them on his MKV.

[jon-]

s3londonuk said:

Ahem, yeah good call jon. They are the PS2s that are on the car!

the tread pattern changed from PS1 to PS2. Will it have changed again on the PS3s?

I think it's fair to call the PS3 design more an evolution than revolution, it's quite hard to spot the difference between the PS3 and PS2.

Michelin have also quietly released the Michelin Pilot Super Sport which will be OEM on the 599GTO. I think these are probably the ultimate street tyre, sadly only made in huge sizes!

[s3londonuk]

What about a set of budget tyres? Reckon I can get 4 Toyos or Kumhos for £350. A snip compared to £500+ for PS3s.

I do mainly motorway driving.

Also something else to put in the mix. On eBay I can 4 brand new 18in Audi replica alloys AND tyres for ££500.
Anyone bought replicas recently?

Fancied something larger than the 17in Avus wheels.

[jon-]

s3londonuk said:

What about a set of budget tyres? Reckon I can get 4 Toyos or Kumhos for £350. A snip compared to £500+ for PS3s.

I do mainly motorway driving.

Also something else to put in the mix. On eBay I can 4 brand new 18in Audi replica alloys AND tyres for ££500.
Anyone bought replicas recently?

Fancied something larger than the 17in Avus wheels.

Something like the T1R is often a false economy. They'll grip well and get good reviews (have a browse around the site) but will generally last 50-60% of the mileage of a premium tyre like a pilot sport.

Forget the ebay idea, you'll get 4 crappy soft alloys that weigh more than the average moon and tyres so crap you'll probably find yourself replacing them just to stay on the road...

[s3londonuk]

LOL!

Cheers jon, I'd better get saving for those PS3s then...

[jon-]

s3londonuk said:

LOL!

Cheers jon, I'd better get saving for those PS3s then...

Cosco have a 4 for 3 on Michelin if that helps... if you're mostly running up and down the motorway there are better tyres for the job than the Pilot Sports, though if that's what you're used to you'll probably be slightly disappointed by handling / grip.

If you don't mind giving up some grip something like the Pirelli Cinturato P7 scored very well in the european summer tyre test for wear and grip...

[Cost Captain]

jon- said:

s3londonuk said:

Ahem, yeah good call jon. They are the PS2s that are on the car!

the tread pattern changed from PS1 to PS2. Will it have changed again on the PS3s?

I think it's fair to call the PS3 design more an evolution than revolution, it's quite hard to spot the difference between the PS3 and PS2.

Michelin have also quietly released the Michelin Pilot Super Sport which will be OEM on the 599GTO. I think these are probably the ultimate street tyre, sadly only made in huge sizes!

Personally i think there is a large difference between the PS2 and PS3! I have however noticed that the PS3's are a pain in the arse to fit and inflate compared to PS2's so assuming there is a large difference between the sidewall and bead structure.